Today’s Scripture Reading
(September 2, 2018): Exodus 23
Bohemian – Austrian
Poet Rainer Maria Rilke wrote that “Every angel is terrifying.” You would never
know that from some of the homes that I have visited with angels portrayed throughout
the home; often lurking in every corner and also often looking very cute and
cuddly. But it is very unlikely that the angels portrayed in our homes are
anything like the ones that surround us. Biblical angels are often portrayed as warriors ready for
battle. They are fierce and determined. And definitely not beings with whom we
should trifle. These angels are prepared
for the dangers and obstacles that are presented
in this life.
God tells Moses
that he has set a specific angel over Israel. And the description of the angel
would not fit any of the cuddly figurines that inhabit the corners of our
homes. God’s special angel was equipped
for the battle that was ahead of Israel. Moses is warned not to rebel against
the angel, nor was the angel likely to forgive any rebellion. And the reason
was that God gives for this caution against rebellion is that “my name is in
him.”
The phrase has
raised a mystery, and maybe a bit of a contradiction. Two of the best known
biblical angels, Michael and Gabriel, both contain the name of God – el. Elohim
means “God who is creator,” El Shaddai is
translated as “God Almighty,” and El Elyon is “God Most High.” My personal favorite name for God is El Roi, “the
God Who Sees Me.” But it is unlikely that either Michael nor Gabriel, who both
in their own way contain the name of God,
were tasked with the job of guiding Israel. Others have suggested that this
might be an early mention of the ministry of Jesus. In this case, the use of the word angel would be used less technically simply meaning “warrior of the
heavenly realms.” In Hebrew, the name of Jesus is Yeshua, or maybe Yehoshua. “Yeho”
is another version of the YWHW Tetragrammaton,
the name of God, and “shua” is literally
“a cry given when in need of rescue.” Thus the name of Jesus gives us “God’s
response in our moment of need.” And God’s name is in him.
But this brings us
to our contradiction. Jesus ministry seems to focus on the idea of mercy and
forgiveness, and yet God is clear that Israel should be careful not to rebel because there would be no forgiveness.
God was coming in justice and righteousness, Israel needed to obey his arrival.
On the other hand,
Israel did rebel and actually did receive forgiveness for their
rebellion. But what is undeniable is that their rebellion did have
consequences, even though forgiveness was always available. Which may bring us to our takeaway from this comment.
Rebelling against the hand of God, when he comes to us, is never free of
consequences. We may find forgiveness at the cross of Jesus, but that
forgiveness does not always erase the physical consequences of our sin. A
penalty, even for the forgiven, may still be demanded in this life. Rebellion
against God is dangerous because our angel, and our Savior, also have the name
of God placed within. God’s name is still in him. And in the moments of our
rebellion, that should be terrifying.
Tomorrow’s Scripture
Reading: Exodus 24
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